Development of a Temperature Sensitive Face Mask for Identification and Triage of Febrile Patients

Authors

Annemarie Daecher, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USAFollow
Flemming Forsberg, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USAFollow
John R. Eisenbrey, Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USAFollow

Files

Description

Abstract:

Many infectious diseases are most transmittable when the carrier is presenting with fever. We propose a disposable face mask that changes color as an indicator of fever to provide hospitals with a quick and inexpensive method for triaging infected patients while limiting exposure to others. Two blue thermochromatic dyes which transition to white at 89°F and 92°F were mixed with white paint and applied to 5 types of disposable face masks. During trials, a wearer either sat at rest or ran on a treadmill for 20 minutes and images were obtained every 5 minutes with a thermal camera to record surface body temperature. At rest there was no change in body temperature or in mask color. After 20 minutes of running, a 5°F increase in surface body temperature was measured. Only the mask created with the 89°F dye showed a color transition with large white areas apparent post-run. This indicates the ability of thermochromatic masks to measure body temperature and potentially identify febrile patients.

Publication Date

4-13-2016

Keywords

Development of a Temperature Sensitive Face Mask for Identification and Triage of Febrile Patients, Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University

Disciplines

Radiology

Comments

Poster presented at: 2016 Sigma XI Research Day.

Recommended Citation

Daecher, Annemarie; Forsberg, Flemming; and Eisenbrey, John R., "Development of a Temperature Sensitive Face Mask for Identification and Triage of Febrile Patients" (2016). Department of Radiology Posters. 1.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/radiologyposters/1